Starcodes horoscopes for August 14 – 20, 2015

Leo energy can roar and leap like a lion, but like a lion also has a lazy streak. The Sun, Moon, and Venus all conjunct in abundant Leo and trine restless Uranus today, a day rich with expectations and dramatic undertones, and, if we’re lucky, a cat nap. With this much Leo in the air, when we’re at rest, we are at rest; we can drape sybaritically over our keyboard waiting for caresses and tidbits, and may find it hard to shift gears into action. But we can leap once we’re going; our life can move from pleasantly sociable to sitcom or tragic drama quickly. Leo loves to take things over the top, but which direction is up to us.

This morning’s New Moon in Leo, and the coming leonine week, can bring us back to ourselves. Leo calls us to put ourselves in the center and be a hearth fire, to be a warming light that shines for ourselves and others. We need to notice what feeds our fire and then we’ll have more to give. It’s time to shine and be entertained, find the world fascinating and have fun. It encourages us to be vain enough to pick out wonderful clothes for back to school or have the confidence we need to enter a new work group.

The headlines could get interesting though; dialogue may be over the top and dramatic stories could hold real significance. But we don’t need to hog the limelight and think attention equals success, even though a few supposed politicians indulge in this illusion. We can honor our inner fire yet avoid Leo’s narcissistic trap if we respect other people’s views and don’t grow isolated, distrustful, or angry because we’re locked in our own personal or cultural viewpoint. We don’t need to create a melodrama to have an excuse for radical self-care (though some people will) nor dramatize our situation as an excuse to do what we need to do. We just need to hear it ourselves, send out clear signals, and act with integrity.

As the Moon enters more industrious, analytical Virgo over the weekend and thoughtful Mercury in Virgo forms a trine to penetrating Pluto, practical necessities start knocking on our door and we can get nervous thinking about the future. Direct this anxious energy to learn a skill or build a healthy critique and momentum around social justice issues. With that Mercury-Pluto trine and Virgo’s love of analysis, it’s a great weekend to take turns and process, really talk about ourselves, which can be a productive form of self-involvement.

Early next week we need to balance between conflicting needs and balance our needs with others as the Moon heads towards egalitarian Libra and Mars sesqui-quadrates Chiron. We may feel pulled in all directions, but if we can find a moment of quiet, a certain brilliance combined with effort can gain traction on projects as Mercury quintiles Saturn. Engage in work related conversation, just do it with consideration.

The next week is emotionally and creatively experimental as Venus trines iconoclastic Uranus. This aspect helps us experiment with our sense of aesthetics and prepare to meet new people as we start looking ahead to the fall. Let’s just make sure we experimented in a way that does not endanger what’s already working.

Friday, August 14: Channel the positive side of Leo on this New Moon conjunct Venus, be generous creative, expressive, outreaching, and a social emotional leader. Romances can prosper. Entropy maximizes easily, when we hold still we will want to rest and indulge, when we get busy we create the movie or opera of our choice, so let’s write our plot line carefully. Indulgence may be just the medicine necessary. Be generous with affection and appreciation and tie into the positive leonine heart, give attention to receive it. Early evening is outgoing and sociable if high maintenance, later we can get tired and cranky as the Moon squares Saturn, and that can bring out a pompous streak.

Saturday, August 15: The details can set us free this morning as the Moon conjunct Jupiter in Virgo. Concentrating on a smaller scale project that contributes to larger goals can relax and further, and redirect the critical edge. The Sun-Venus conjunction can get us lost in our romantic ideal or sybaritic moment, or it can give us the compassion to really reach out in a healing way. It also marks the Venus point, the beginning of a new 8 year Venusian cycle, so notice what starts now. As Mercury trines Pluto, words have power, depth and curiosity are added to our thinking. Our minds will drift to our concerns and flirt with depression but we can redirect it towards productive answers. After a serious bout midafternoon we need to drift and dream tonight as the Moon opposes Neptune.

Sunday, August 16: The mood can be thoughtful, self-correcting, a good day to learn, listen, develop the skill. We can also build up momentum for social critique as the Moon conjuncts Mercury in Virgo and Mercury bi-quintiles Uranus. Just watch that internal emotional perfectionism which leads us to second-guess our decisions and improve dear ones nearby, thinking that if we just correct or school them a little more, then all our problems will be solved.

Monday, August 17: This morning we can be a little cranky and/or creaky around the edges. Our irritation can inflame old sore points and remind us where we still need healing work as Mars challenges Chiron. Minor acts of bravery may be needed to overcome short-term obstacles, hang in there. We can find more ingenious solutions midday, find out how to balance or further the situation as Mercury quintile Saturn and the Moon enters Libra. Old stories and memories can either underline the problem or help us tap into our resources. Create pleasant egalitarian connections tonight.

Tuesday, August 18: The day is rich with both creative discontent and a desire to see people we haven’t seen in a while, and the deeper discontent this afternoon as the Moon squares Pluto and semi-squares the Sun. We may feel how close the end of summer is or need to say goodbye to person, place, or thing. Take seriously, but do not get melodramatic about, any problem that arises this afternoon. Notice the drifting melancholy and don’t read it into the moment. Solve the problem and remember a hopeful point beyond this story. Let this poignancy add piquancy to the moment.

Wednesday, August 19: We look for fresh and greener pastures to explore today, we won’t be interested in what is too familiar as the Moon opposes and Venus trines restless Uranus. Spontaneity is good for the soul. We want to feel beautiful and appreciate beauty but may feel unrealistically discontent with the un-ideal quality of our relationship or wardrobe. Let’s explore possibilities without jettisoning the good stuff. Harsh words hurt, but poetry rather than logic gets our point across as Mercury semi-sextiles Venus tonight.

Thursday, August 20: It will help to take neutral corners under stress. People will hold onto a fight like a dog would a bone, and each person’s logic can seem unique as Mercury quincunx Uranus. Work around interference from potential electrical or internet problems. Earlier in the day the mood is pleasant if stubborn, but watch out for the wrestling matches late afternoon. Curtail a resentful or possessive streak. If we really need drama and intensity, let’s look for a worthy cause and not create it at home. It furthers to take some time alone and redirect the focus before irritation peaks.